New ₹3,000 FASTag pass to ease highway travel

New Delhi

The central government has announced a new FASTag-based annual pass priced at ₹3,000 to make highway travel smoother for private car owners. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the initiative on Wednesday, calling it a big step towards simpler and quicker journeys.

Starting August 15, this pass will be valid for one year or up to 200 trips — whichever comes first. It applies only to non-commercial vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans. The move aims to reduce waiting time at toll booths, cut down disputes, and ensure more convenient toll payments.

The pass will be available for activation and renewal through the Rajmarg Yatra App, as well as on the websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Gadkari explained that this plan will solve issues related to toll booths located within 60 km of each other. With just one payment, users can enjoy faster, uninterrupted travel across India’s national highways.

Alongside this announcement, the minister shared key updates on India’s road development. The average construction of highways increased by 130% between 2014 and 2024 compared to the previous decade. India now has 1,46,204 km of national highways, up from 91,287 km in 2014.

Currently, 1,366 highway projects are underway, covering over 32,000 km. Most are expected to be completed by 2028.

The government’s investment in roads has surged, rising 6.4 times since 2013-14. The budget for road infrastructure has jumped by 570% between 2014 and 2023-24, highlighting the Centre’s push to modernise India’s transport network.